As of July 2017, it was revealed that rocks no longer remain the most popular musical category in the United States. Though many different factors contributed to the downfall of the once-dominant music style, one particular factor stands out as the reason why so much bad music flooded the airwaves.
With the rise of the internet, people could listen to whatever they wanted without having to rely on traditional media outlets. So instead of hearing what the masses were actually listening to, the media decided to play safe and focus on what would sell rather than what should be listened to. And because of this, they ended up playing a lot of terrible music.
From the formulaic grunge sounds of Puddle of Muck, Nickelback, and Creed to the offensively dumb nu metal songs of Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Linkin Park, the general population was forced to listen to the absolute worst that the music industry had to offer.
Top 5 Rock Bands Of the 20th Century
Despite the horrible quality of music that was dominating the charts, there were plenty of great artists who managed to slip through the cracks and find success.
Do you want to know which ones?
1- Muse
Formed in 1994, this alternative/progressive metal outfit broke into the mainstream with its third studio effort, Absolution, released in 2003. Their unique blend of alternative metal with symphonic metal and electronic elements stood out from the rest, and they quickly became one of the biggest names in alternative metal.
Their vocalist, Matt Bellamy, is known for his powerful vocals that he uses to great effect, switching between deep growls and high-pitched screams. His voice can also range from a dark, heavy growl to a smooth, clean singing style, depending on the mood of the song. His twin brother, Chris Wolstenholme, plays lead guitar, providing a solid foundation for Matt’s vocals and creating a distinctive sound for the group.
Drummer Dominic Howard provides a steady beat and fills in where needed, often playing two parts simultaneously. Keyboardist Paul Hartnoll adds a layer of complexity to the mix, often taking the place of drums or keyboards. With such a wide variety of instruments involved, Muse’s albums rarely sound alike.
They’re not afraid to experiment either; their latest record, Drones, features a number of new sounds and styles, including orchestral arrangements and classical instrumentation. Muse continues to evolve and expand, and its fans love them for it.
2- System of a Down
They definitely fall into the latter category. But while SOD may not be the best nu-metallers around, they do possess a number of traits that make them stand out among their peers. First off, they’ve got a unique style that combines elements of alternative, heavy, and experimental music together in an interesting manner.
They also have a knack for writing catchy hooks, something that can’t really be taught. Finally, they’ve got a reputation for being unpredictable; whether it’s their lyrics or their live shows, SOD does whatever they feel like doing. So if you’re looking for a group that can put on a show that’ll leave you stunned and confused, you should check out System of a Down.
3- Linkin Park
Although Linkin Park may be considered a nu-metaller, they were actually ahead of their time. Their hybrid style of rock/electronica/industrial would later be adopted by bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit. They also helped popularize the term “nu-core” by releasing Hybrid Theory, which featured songs about suicide and depression.
In addition, Linkin Park’s vocalist, Chester Bennington, had a very unique voice, which made his singing stand out among the rest of the pop world. His deep, raspy vocals gave off a very raw sound, and he often sang about topics such as death and heartbreak, which made his songs relatable to anyone who listened. He also wrote some of the best lyrical hooks in the history of rock, which allowed fans to connect with his songs despite the depressing subject matter.
Despite being one of the biggest bands of the late 1990s, Linkin Park continued to evolve throughout the early 2000s. By 2002, they released Meteora, which incorporated electronic beats into their songs, giving them a new edge. A year later, they released Minutes To Midnight, which marked a turning point for the band. With the release of this album, Linkin Park began incorporating hip-hop influences into their work, something that became increasingly prevalent during the next few albums.
In 2005, they released Collision Course, which was their last album before breaking up. After the breakup, Chester went solo, and Linkin Park reunited in 2009. Since then, they’ve released one studio album, Living Things, and toured extensively.
4- At the Drive-In
They had a sound that was fresh and original, and they could play fast enough to keep up with whatever else was happening in the scene. Problem was, right after the release of this record, they broke up. But then, out of the ashes, came The Mars Volta.
With records like De-loused In The Comatorium and Frances The Mute, The Mars Volta kept the spirit of ATDI alive and kicking, even if they couldn’t quite top them. And though they didn’t get much recognition during the late 90s and early 00s, they definitely helped shape the future of both hardcore and alternative/post-hardcore.
5- The Foo Fighters
They were around much longer than that, having started back in the 1990s. Also, I’m not sure if anyone else noticed, but the Foo Fighters aren’t exactly the most experimental group out there. They’re just kind of… average. That being said, the Foo Fighters did manage to stay relevant throughout the 2000s, so I guess they can count themselves as part of the new millennium.
Their biggest hits include “Learn To Fly,” which was released in 1999, “Monkey Wrench” in 2001, and “Everlong” in 2003. They also put out a couple of albums in the early 2000s, including S&M and In Your Honor, both of which are solid records. So yeah, I guess the Foo Fighters do deserve a spot on this list.